Grade 7 learners from Wagenhuiskrantz Primary in Arniston and De Heide Primary in Bredasdorp visited Denel Overberg Test Range on 20 June 2014 in celebration of Youth Day.

A total of 142 learners and four teachers from Wagenhuiskrantz Primary in Arniston and De Heide Primary in Bredasdorp were recently exposed to the high technological innovation of Denel Overberg Test Range environment in a belated celebration of the national youth month.

For most of the learners this was a first visit to the Test Range and to many a first exposure to a high technology environment.

“The aim of the visit was to give the learners general exposure to the Test Range and the Denel Group with the hope of creating an interest in careers like engineering, technicians, science, and others within the technical, engineering, science and technology sectors. We wanted to spark an interest and hopefully motivate them to make the right subject choices that will allow them to pursue careers within these sectors,” Denel Overberg Test Range Chief Executive, Abrie van der Walt, says.

Enthusiastic comments and remarks on the presentation the group received on the Denel Group and the Test Range elicited a lot of excitement from the learners. “There was also a presentation by the Meteorologist of the Test Range on the basic principles of the weather; a Chief Technician provided an overview of activities in the control room during test execution. Both presentations seemed to create a lot of interest and excitement among the learners because it was probably the first time they had heard such information,” says a proud Abrie van der Walt.

The control room with the big screens displaying missiles being tested were particularly impressive. “We were enlightened on which subjects to choose for certain careers, I now know that mathematics and science are very important if you want to become an engineer or technician. I would really love to work at Denel Overberg Test Range”, said a clearly elated Marquin Nefdt, a Grade 7 learner at De Heide Primary.

“I have learned that air particles change the weather. The Denel weather man demonstrated to us how a cloud is formed, using a bottle. This visit was an adventure, I have never experienced something like this”, was how Lauren Africa, a Grade 7 leaner from De Heide Primary described the experience.

The overall response from the learners was that this was a wonderful experience and that it opened up a new world to them.

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